LONDON (AP) -- Cadbury PLC revealed Monday it has received approaches from The Hershey Co. and Italy's Ferrero International SA as it launched a robust defense against a hostile 9.8 billion pound ($16.3 billion) from Kraft Foods Inc.

Cadbury Chairman Roger Carr said the statements of intent from Hershey and Ferrero were too preliminary to start proper talks as he warned shareholders not to let Kraft "steal your company with its derisory offer."

The British chocolate and gum maker also raised its long-term performance targets to play up its position as a strong independent company.

The prospect of the 195-year-old company falling into foreign ownership has caused some consternation in Britain were it is a much-loved brand -- a member of Cadbury's founding family has been publicly critical and the country's leading labor union fears large-scale job losses.

But Carr left open the door for some kind of tie-up, saying that Cadbury was open to discussion with any potential suitor -- Kraft included -- that made a compelling offer that fully valued the company.

"As yet, we've only had one offer, which is far from compelling, it is ... derisory on a good day because it's falling, and we've had a statement of intent from two people that are yet to come forward with an offer," Carr told reporters.

"We have told them very clearly what the rules of the game are, but until they come forward ... that